Grace's Forgiveness by Molly Jebber Read Free Book Online

plan for your life.”
    Pressing a hand to her heart, she leaned in. “Oh, Mamm, I hope so.”
    “I hope so too, dear dochder.”
    She finished her meal, carried her dishes to the sink, and offered to wash them.
    Mamm protested and sent her to her room.
    She plopped in the chair by her window and gazed out at the green grassy meadow. What did the future hold for her and Mark? She’d been teased by boys in school. She’d given up on men not shying away from her, until she met Mark. He met her eyes and seemed to hang on her every word. Mark was the only man who’d ever made her feel pretty besides her daed. To have her interest in a man reciprocated was a wonderful and new experience. She’d envied her friends getting married and starting families. For the first time in her life, she felt like it might be a possibility for her someday.

Chapter Three
    Thump . Startled, Grace shot up in bed in time to find a sparrow falling from her window Saturday morning. The poor bird wasn’t the first to wake her up this way during her lifetime. Rubbing her eyes, she slid her legs over the bed and stood. Her heart soared at the thought of Mark. She had hoped their paths would cross this past week. She’d missed him. The shelves he’d crafted and hung for them were sanded and painted to perfection. She couldn’t wait to visit his store today and run her hand along his furniture.
    She gobbled down her breakfast of fried eggs and white bread and butter. She had to hurry if she wanted to arrive at the shop before Mark. She rushed through her chores and changed into her shop clothes. She bid farewell to her parents and grabbed her medical bag, coffee container, and dinner box Mamm packed for her.
    She threw her supplies in the wagon and prepared to leave. The sun warmed her face and the grass appeared greener. The cows grazing in the pasture and ducks swimming in the pond off to the left of the the weathered white barn painted a charming picture as she drove down the lane and headed for town.
    Mark added excitement in her life. No doubt Mamm would tell Daed about her mention of Mark, and they’d want to meet him soon. Tomorrow, Mark would be at church. Maybe church would be a perfect place for her to introduce him to her parents.
    Arriving at the livery, she passed her horse’s reins to the liveryman.
    “I’ll take care of your horse, Grace.”
    “Danki.” She climbed out of the wagon. She passed townsfolk on the way to the shop. Englischers wore the prettiest clothes. Big floppy hats decorated with flowers and colorful printed dresses showing their ankles. She could never be comfortable in a dress fitted to her body. She liked her loose-fitting plain light blue dress and white apron.
    Pins instead of buttons didn’t bother her. Her friend Becca Carrington loved buttons and must like wearing fancy clothes since she abandoned Amish life to marry a doctor. In her heart, she was happy for Becca, but she missed her.
    The desire to write and tell Becca about Mark had overwhelmed her the past several days, but she wouldn’t chance it. In her last letter, she’d told Becca it would be her last letter she’d send to her. The commitment she’d made not to correspond with her friend any longer had been the right decision.
    She’d been fortunate to not have been caught thus far. If the bishop found out about her transgression, she and her parents would suffer. She’d been selfish to put her mamm and daed in such a position.
    Pausing in front of Mark’s shop, she scanned the words above the door. KING ’ S FURNITURE . I like it. The bold letters were cut thick and dark against the light wood behind them. It stood out as the best crafted sign on the boardwalk. Customers would find the beautiful masthead hard to miss. She opened the door to the dry goods shop and found Mark with a cup of coffee in his hand talking to Sarah.
    Her heart raced as she dropped her bag behind the counter. “Good morning.”
    Sarah hugged her. “Good